stevejo

[stevejo]

Hi
I have a 1996 sportster 1800 and I am having an ongoing issue with starting the engines.
The issue is that sometime both engines start no problems and run well, and then sometimes they are both dead , nothing, all that happens is when I press the starter buttons is a “ beeping “ sound. I have put a brand new battery in but this has not fixed the problems. I have also cleaned and checked the battery terminals with no change.
The other day I started the engines at home and then when I got to the boat ramp they wouldn’t start , will not even turn over, nothing just beeping sound. I have taken it to 3 different mechanics and all have told me that they have fixed it. But the first time I take it out , nothing dead.
I am assuming that it is not the engine as they run perfectly when they start.
Please help I am out of ideas.

 

[old school sea doos]

hey haveyou checked the wiring from the startr to the baterie or the wires from the engine to the battery ?

 

[stevejo]

Some times starts other times dead

Hi ,
I have and all look ok , I am thinking that I might replace all of them ????
Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Dr Honda]

please don't double post. You have this same question in the general section.

 

[seadooya]

Hi ,
I have and all look ok , I am thinking that I might replace all of them ????
Thanks for the suggestion.

Cables look good, BUT can/will corrode from under the heatshrink, at the terminal ends.:cheers:

 

[stevejo]

Some times starts other times dead

Firstly sorry for the double posting , first timer , but I got the hang of it now.

I have just been told by a seadoo boat mechanic that the problem is a faulty solenoid in the control module ( computer ) , he said that he can hear a clicking noise inside , he said that I will need a new control module and that they are very expensive , about $2500. He also said that it cannot be repaired. OMG not what I needed to hear.
Has anyone else every had to replace one of these ? and if so where would I get one , and is it possible to get a second hand one from a boat wreckers?

 

[Dr Honda]

OK...

First... if you want help... you need to check the posts more often.

Now... I'm a little confused. In 1996, there were only 3 boats. Sportster, Speedster, and the Challenger. None of them were an "1800." (at least in the states)

Can you post up a pic of your boat?? also, look at the Hull number on the rear of the boat, and tell me what the last 2 numbers are. (this will clear up any confusion)

As far as $2500 for a computer... sounds like the shop is having you bend over, and he is shoving hard. I know you are not in the states... but that's still expensive.

Lets start with ID'ing the boat... then we can find a part.

Oh... and as far as a SeaDoo computer giving intermittent problems... it doesn't normally happen. Once they give up... that's it. I still think you have an issue with a regulator. (much cheaper to change out)

 

[stevejo]

Hi thanks for your feedback, I greatly appreciate it. Unfortunately I work long hours and find it difficult to check the forum as regularly as I would like.

The last two numbers are 98. Which of course mean that it is a 1998 sportster, how silly of me!:stupid:

Just to give you a quick background on the boat, I bought it in the states when I lived there for 12 months. Then I shipped it back to Australia when I returned. I never had any issues with it until I got it back to Aussie.
I still have a lot of friend in Alabama and if need be, they will ship items to me if I need them to.
The mechanic said that he can hear a clicking noise coming from the computer when he tries to start it, he believe that it is the solenoid in the computer that controls the starting. I will tell the mechanic to change the regulator and see what happens. I have a friend here in Aussie that has the same boat and the mechanic has suggested that we swap the computers to confirm that it is the computer. But we will change out the regulator first.
What do you think a new computer will cost and are they readily available in the states.

Thanks for your help, talk soon

 

[seadooya]

no need for new mpem. Verify that yuor red/black cables are in excellent condition, then clean your landyard and post, with saopy water and/or an eraser. Finally, make sure your battery is good/charged.

 

[stevejo]

1998 1800 seadoo sportster wont start

Thanks for the suggestion.

I am intending on changing all the red and black leads from the battery to the engines. I have cleaned the lanyard with no change, I assume that the lanyard is in good working order as when I plug it in I get a beeping sound the same as when the engines start normally. I also have had the new battery tested and they have confirmed that it is like new even when under load.
I have been focusing on items that have only one of IE battery, lanyard, natural switch and computer. The reason for this is if one of two things fail at least one engine should start but both are dead.

I said before that the mechanic said that a solenoid has failed in the computer, he actually said that it is a relay. I will keep trying all the suggestions. Hopefully we can fix the problem without having to change the computer. By the way does MPEM mean the computer, and if so what does MPEM stand for.

Also I now that I keep asking a lot of questions and for that Im sorry. Where can I get a repair / owners manual?

Thank you so much all for your help.

 

[Dr Honda]

1) When you plug in the lanyard... do you get your normal beeps? How many beeps? do the gages turn on?

2) does the "Clicking" happen when you push the start button, or as soon as you plug in your lanyard?

3) is your battery fully charged?

Please answer all the questions as well as you can. Also... don't change the regulator yet. My thoughts on the regulator came from your other post, and I want to get more info.

 

[stevejo]

1998 1800 seadoo sportster wont start

Hi Tony
When I plug in the lanyards I get 2 beeps , I don’t have the boat here, it is still at the mechanics, but I’m sure that when I plug it in I get 2 beeps , as per normal and all gauges work normal.
If the boat won’t start, when I press the start buttons all I get is a continuous beep also all the gauges drop to zero IE fuel gauge drops to empty and when I release the start buttons the gauges go back to normal.

The clicking noise only happens when I press the start buttons not when I plug in the lanyard

I am also 100% confident that the battery is like new , I have had it tested by a battery specialist and it is in perfect working order , they also tested it under load, with no issues.

Thanks and have a good day.
Steve

 

[Dr Honda]

I would go get the boat back from the shop right now!! They are trying to rape you, and they aren't even going to kiss you first. (did that sound too gay)

If you are getting 2 beeps... the gages come on... and you get a click when you push the start button... then there is nothing wrong with your computer.

What you are describing to me is a weak battery. It will have just enough voltage to get the system up and running, but when you hit the starter... the voltage will drop, and the computer will reset. (but not completely)

So, after hearing this... and knowing what you posted before (would be dead after sitting)... I would say to get a new battery, and a new regulator. The new regulator should cost about $56 USD.

Actually... if you want to pay for the shipping... I have a few used ones sitting in my shop, and you can have one. (older style, and you would have to put your plug on it) They are SUPER simple to install. 2 bolts, and a few wires. (all color coded) If you buy the proper regulator... its one bolt, and a plug. Don't pay someone to install it.

OK... here is my resoning...

You said it would be randomly dead after sitting. A bad regulator can drain your battery. The regulator serves 3 functions. 1) regulate the voltage from the mag. 2) turn on and off the field voltage. (what you are having issues with) 3) rectify the AC into DC voltage to run the boat.

Now... with an acid (wet) battery, they have a tendency of going completely dead if they are drawn down past 4 or 5 volts, and they sit there. The reason for this is, the Led plates will build a sulfate layer because of a depleted ion exchange. If you have a good digital charger... some have a negative pulse charge, and it can break up the sulfate, and bring the battery back into a serviceable condition.

I make my living working on bikes (and some watercraft) and I see this kind of thing all the time. The owner says the battery is good, but it's not. Or, that they just put in a new battery, and are having charing issues, and get mad at me when I tell them they need a new battery if they want me to fix the other electrical issues.


I would like to get a second opinion, and I hope snipe will throw in his 2 cents.

 

[seadoosnipe]

I agree.....

I would go get the boat back from the shop right now!! They are trying to rape you, and they aren't even going to kiss you first. (did that sound too gay)

If you are getting 2 beeps... the gages come on... and you get a click when you push the start button... then there is nothing wrong with your computer.

What you are describing to me is a weak battery. It will have just enough voltage to get the system up and running, but when you hit the starter... the voltage will drop, and the computer will reset. (but not completely)

So, after hearing this... and knowing what you posted before (would be dead after sitting)... I would say to get a new battery, and a new regulator. The new regulator should cost about $56 USD.

Actually... if you want to pay for the shipping... I have a few used ones sitting in my shop, and you can have one. (older style, and you would have to put your plug on it) They are SUPER simple to install. 2 bolts, and a few wires. (all color coded) If you buy the proper regulator... its one bolt, and a plug. Don't pay someone to install it.

OK... here is my resoning...

You said it would be randomly dead after sitting. A bad regulator can drain your battery. The regulator serves 3 functions. 1) regulate the voltage from the mag. 2) turn on and off the field voltage. (what you are having issues with) 3) rectify the AC into DC voltage to run the boat.

Now... with an acid (wet) battery, they have a tendency of going completely dead if they are drawn down past 4 or 5 volts, and they sit there. The reason for this is, the Led plates will build a sulfate layer because of a depleted ion exchange. If you have a good digital charger... some have a negative pulse charge, and it can break up the sulfate, and bring the battery back into a serviceable condition.

I make my living working on bikes (and some watercraft) and I see this kind of thing all the time. The owner says the battery is good, but it's not. Or, that they just put in a new battery, and are having charing issues, and get mad at me when I tell them they need a new battery if they want me to fix the other electrical issues.


I would like to get a second opinion, and I hope snipe will throw in his 2 cents.

I just wanted to chime in here for just a second. You have got to of the forums best mechanics helping you with some advice. I would suggest that you heed their warnings. You are obviously ill informed and fixing to blow a bundle for nothing. This is a perfect example that I've also often mentioned in the forum about the greedy shops. They will troubleshoot at your expense. They don't care about your Seadoo, they care about what they make.

This works really easily, not just boats but anything with a motor. When you take it in, they ask questions or give you estimates, feeling you out to see how much you know about mechanics. Once they see you have no idea about what they are talking about, they will start adding things to the list and it will go on and on. Do not get the MPEM (computer), from what I read, you don't need one.

I have read the advice from Seadooya and Dr. Honda in many threads and their advice is always solid, so I would heed the warnings, you are about to be robbed blind........

 

[stevejo]

1998 1800 seadoo sportster wont start

Good day gents

Thanks for your advice, again

I intend on picking my boat up this weekend, also I am going to investigate if I can get a regulator locally, but if I can’t I will take you up on your offer if that’s ok. I will let you know how I go.
I do have one question for you and that is, we keep coming back to the battery but I am 100% sure that it is fully charged and in perfect working order, could the system be failing somewhere else is earth or something like that ?
Believe you me that I am taking your advice very seriously and greatly appreciate it.
I really hope that I can get to the bottom it soon as it is wearing me down.

Again thanks have a good day.

Steve

 

[Gunsrunner]

Hello Stevejo, My name is Garth and i have owned a 1997 challenger 1800 for several years now. I also live in Perth:hurray: I know my way around the electronics on these boats so I offer my services to get this sorted out for you, give me a call and we will catch up PM sent.

 

[Dr Honda]

Guns....


That's very nice of you. Let us know how it works out.:cheers: